Page 112 of Plus Size Player

“Wh-wha… I’m not…” She stammered over her words. “Don’t do that. Don’t try to change the subject. You and Russ have something real. The way you talked about him and the way you looked when you were fresh from seeing him. I’ve never seen you that happy with a man, and I’ve seen you date a lot of men.A lot.”

I snickered. “Not too much on me.”

“No, but seriously. Russ is the only one you have ever talked about like this. Before this whole work fiasco happened, I could’ve sworn you were going to say you two declared your love or something. The way you talked about that Sunday with him and started calling him Russ, we already knew something happened on that trip. And then all of a sudden, all of it kind of explodedbecause of this work thing. You never really got a chance to see it through, and then you never really got a chance for closure. And on top of that, you’re seeing him regularly but not in the way that you were.”

I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath. “Yeah,” I murmured, focusing on the last thing she said.

I didn’t even get a chance to tell my best friends that I took it there with him. I wanted him. I wanted to be with him. I was committed to him. And hours after I gave in to the idea of us together, it ended. So, I agreed with Aaliyah’s sentiment—I never got a chance to see it through, and I never got closure. That had to be the reason I felt so reactive and all over the place.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “Enough about my bullshit. Are you ready for Saturday? Do you need me to do anything?”

“Just thank Charlotte for me. My dress is perfect.”

“I can do that. I can’t wait to see both looks.”

“All I need now is a date.”

My stomach sank. “Same. But I’m not worried and you shouldn’t be either.”

“Taco Tuesday tomorrow?”

“Yes,” I agreed quickly. “I’m shooting content all day, so I’ll be ready for a night out with my girl.”

We ended the call fifteen minutes later.

Talking to Aaliyah helped to calm me down, but when I woke up Tuesday morning, I got mad all over again. More accurately, I was mad at his actions and embarrassed because I felt like I played myself.

And there was nothing I could do about it.

Channeling that energy into my work, I spent the day creating content. I was able to lose myself in the process. Being preoccupied with work actually made me feel better.

“I’m about to put it on!” I greeted the camera. “Get ready with me as I get ready for a girls’ night out—Taco Tuesday edition. It’s pretty hot tonight and I plan on bringing that same energy…”

After I was ready, I called a car to take me downtown to the Mexican restaurant where Aaliyah and I were meeting. I walkedinto the restaurant in my green-and-gold minidress and smiled as soon as I saw my best friend.

After a quick hug and an exchange of compliments, Aaliyah and I were seated. As soon as the waiter took our order and walked away, we launched into conversation.

“Okay, who are you meeting after this? Because you look good!” Aaliyah commented.

I shook my head. “Unfortunately, I will be heading home after this. I have a photoshoot in the morning.”

“Oh, really?” She gave me a curious look. “I thought you were done.”

I told her about the incident that happened on Friday. “So, a new shoot was set up for Wednesday,” I concluded.

Her mouth hung open as the waiter sat our drinks down. When we were alone again, she sputtered. “So, he kissed you and hefiredsomeone for you?”

I swallowed my feelings again. “Not like that—”

“He kissed you and fired someone for you,” she interrupted.

“He doesn’t like being disrespected. And the kiss… the kiss happened because we hadn’t been around each other in a couple of weeks.”

“Hmm.” She lifted her drink to her lips. “That man loves you.”

“Aaliyah, please,” I complained.

“I love that energy.” She swooned, ignoring my protests. “He stood up for you. He had your back. He then couldn’t resist you. I knew you two were endgame.”

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